AUGUSTA (AP) – Maine’s unemployment rate edged down in August by 0.1 percentage point, following a national trend, the state Labor Department said Wednesday.

Maine’s jobless rate dropped from 4.8 percent in July to 4.7 percent last month, mirroring the nation,. The unemployment rate in August 2005 was 5 percent.

Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said the trend overall is positive.

Fortman said that between July and August, the number of employed Maine residents rose by 5,100 to 684,300.

Maine’s unemployment rates are adjusted to reflect seasonal changes in the labor market.